By Plane
Egypt has several international airports, but the three most important for tourists are: Cairo (CAI), Hurghada (HRG), and Sharm el-Sheikh (SSH). Depending on your plans, you will fly into different airports.
Flights from Germany/Austria/Switzerland
The flight time is 4 to 5 hours from the German-speaking region. The main connections:
| Destination | Airlines | From | Price (Round Trip) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo (CAI) | EgyptAir, Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian | Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna | 250–500 € |
| Hurghada (HRG) | Condor, Eurowings, SunExpress, Corendon | many German airports | 200–400 € |
| Sharm el-Sheikh (SSH) | Condor, Eurowings, SunExpress | various | 200–400 € |
| Marsa Alam (RMF) | Condor, Eurowings | seasonal | 250–450 € |
| Luxor (LXR) | Condor (seasonal) | seasonal | 300–500 € |
Visa on Arrival
Germans, Austrians, and Swiss citizens receive a Visa on Arrival at the airport. There are two options:
- Visa on Arrival at the bank counter: 25 USD (also payable in euros, but at a worse rate). Valid for 30 days, single entry. Purchase the visa stamp at the bank counter before passport control, then proceed to passport control.
- E-Visa in advance online: Apply via visa2egypt.gov.eg. 25 USD single entry, 60 USD multiple entry. 7 days processing time. Recommended to avoid the queue at the airport.
Airport Transfer Cairo
The Cairo Airport (CAI) is located 22 km northeast of the center. Transfer options:
- Uber/Careem: The best option! Price to the center (Tahrir, Downtown): 100–200 LE (2–4 €). Air-conditioned, app-based, no haggling. Wait at the exit of Terminal 2 or 3.
- Taxi: Official airport taxi with fixed price: 250–400 LE to the center. Be careful: Many unofficial taxi drivers charge significantly more. Always agree on the price BEFOREHAND!
- Private Transfer: Bookable in advance through hotels or GetYourGuide. From 15–25 € to the hotel.
- Bus: CTA bus #356 and #357 run every 30 minutes to Tahrir Square (10 LE). Slow but cheap.
💡 Tipp
Book flights to Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh as a package deal (flight + hotel) — this is often cheaper than just the flight alone! Charter airlines (Condor, SunExpress) offer the best prices from November to April.